🎓 New Hampshire State Grants and Scholarships: What Parents Need to Know
If you live in New Hampshire and your kid is heading to college soon, here’s what you need to know upfront: New Hampshire doesn’t offer a lot of aid, but what’s available can still take the edge off—especially if you plan ahead.
This guide covers New Hampshire’s main grant program, how the FAFSA still matters, and where else families should look for support (including some unique help through the state’s nonprofit loan agency).
🔗 Jump to What You Need
💰 State Grants | 🎓 UNH Tuition Help | 📌 Local Scholarships | 🌐 Tuition Reciprocity | 🏫 NH Colleges | 📝 What To Do | ❓ FAQ
💰 New Hampshire State Grants (Need-Based Aid)
New Hampshire doesn’t run its own stand-alone grant program like many states—but it does partner with the Federal Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) to provide small state-funded grants for low-income students. These are handled through the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) and your kid’s college financial aid office.
Amounts are usually small (under $1,000) and vary by school. They won’t cover everything, but they can stack with Pell, work-study, and whatever the college offers.
To be considered, your child must:
- Be a New Hampshire resident
- Attend college at least half-time
- Submit the FAFSA early (preferably in October)
- Demonstrate financial need
🎓 Tuition Help for In-State Public Colleges
The state doesn’t offer big merit scholarships, but some New Hampshire colleges—especially UNH—step in with their own tuition help for in-state students:
UNH Tuition Guarantee (University of New Hampshire)
- Covers full in-state tuition for NH students with a household income under $50,000
- Student must be admitted and eligible for the federal Pell Grant
- Renewable for four years
📌 Local and Institutional Scholarships
Here’s where a lot of the opportunity in New Hampshire lives:
- The NH Charitable Foundation manages over 400 local scholarships for New Hampshire students. One application gets your kid considered for dozens of awards.
- Colleges like Keene State, Plymouth State, and UNH offer automatic and competitive scholarships. FAFSA is often required, even for merit aid.
- VSAC’s Scholarship Book (though based in Vermont) is helpful for NH border counties with cross-state options.
🌐 Regional Tuition Discounts (NEBHE Tuition Break)
New Hampshire doesn’t have a formal in-state tuition exchange, but families can take advantage of the New England Board of Higher Education’s Tuition Break.
- Your child can attend a public college in another New England state at a reduced tuition rate if their major isn’t offered in New Hampshire.
- This is ideal for specialized programs like marine biology, game design, or aviation—fields that might not be available at UNH or the NH community colleges.
Learn more at nebhe.org/tuitionbreak.
🏫 Colleges in New Hampshire
That’s the main four-year public option for most in-state families. It offers need- and merit-based scholarships, and it honors the Tuition Guarantee for Pell-eligible NH students.
📝 What To Do Next
- ✅ Submit the FAFSA as soon as it opens (October 1)
- ✅ Have your child apply early to schools like UNH, Keene State, and Plymouth State
- ✅ Research and apply for NH Charitable Foundation scholarships
- ✅ Build a brag sheet to help with rec letters and scholarship apps
- ✅ Look into the UNH Tuition Guarantee if your income is under $50K
- ✅ Even if you’re middle income, your family might still qualify for help—especially if you file early
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does New Hampshire offer a state scholarship for good grades or test scores?
No. There’s no formal merit-based state scholarship, but many New Hampshire colleges offer their own merit aid if your child applies early.
Is the FAFSA really worth filing if New Hampshire offers limited state aid?
Definitely. Most New Hampshire colleges use FAFSA info to award both need-based and merit aid. It also unlocks federal help like Pell Grants and loans.
How can we qualify for the UNH Tuition Guarantee?
Your family income must be under $50,000, and your child must be Pell-eligible. UNH covers full in-state tuition if they are admitted and meet basic requirements.
Are there scholarships for middle-income families?
Sometimes. Many local and college scholarships don’t have strict income cutoffs, and FAFSA data can still open doors for reduced-cost packages.
Can my kid get in-state tuition if we live near the border?
New Hampshire doesn’t have a formal tuition reciprocity agreement, but NEBHE lets your child pay reduced out-of-state tuition at certain New England colleges if their major isn’t offered in NH.
Do homeschoolers qualify for these programs?
Yes, but they may need to submit transcripts and SAT/ACT scores for eligibility. Local scholarships may also ask for a letter of recommendation or academic work samples.